America’s Next Top Model

Tyra Banks shocked fans of her reality cult classic America’s Next Top Model when she fired Nigel Barker, J. Alexander and Jay Manuel, three cast members who had been on the show for approximately one million years.

US Magazine reported this week that two replacements for the men have been announced, Katy Perry’s stylist Johnny Wujek and model Rob Evans will join publicist Kelly Cutrone at judge’s table.I’m a bit worried that Katy’s stylist is being added. I guess we’ll have to expect some really weird challenges next cycle. Who can shoot ice cream out of the cone bra the best a la Katy’s California Girls video is one idea.

Tyra also announced that the show would add a voting element, like almost every other reality show. “Cycle 19’s judging panel will include your votes, comments and video messages. You will have a say in which models stay… and who goes home.”

Egomaniac and wanna-be media queen Tyra Banks recently shocked America’s Next Top Model fans by firing her long time co-judges Nigel Barker, Jay Manuel, and J. Alexander (better known as “Miss Jay”). Can you imagine an ANTM universe without Miss Jay? I don’t think I want to, and it turns out, most fans don’t, either. It was bad enough when she fired the divine Andre Leon Talley and replaced him with Kelly Cutrone, but now this?

To my Nigel Barker, Miss J, and Mr Jay: Thank you for all of our years together on America’s Next Top Model! Working with you is always an absolute pleasure. Excited for what the future holds for us. XOXO, TyTy

Rumor has it they were just told yesterday that their contracts wouldn’t be renewed for next season.

Wow, that’s a big shakeup! I can’t wait to see who she replaces them with!

TELL US – ARE YOU GLAD TO SEE THEM GO? WHO DO YOU THINK SHOULD REPLACE THEM? ARE YOU STILL WATCHING THE SHOW AFTER ALL THESE YEARS?

Angela, alongside Lisa D’Amatoand Allison Harvard, was competing for the crown. However, during an odd final judges panel,Tyra Banks and the other judges revealed Angelea had been disqualified… without giving viewers any reason or explanation.

“We’re back in Los Angeles on the T﻿op Model set and we’re here for a special finale that’s being conducted under unusual circumstances,” said Tyra. “It turns out, our production team and the network learned information from Angelea that disqualifies her from the competition,” added fashion photographer Nigel Barker.

With Angelea (pictured far right) disqualified, Lisa and Allison were left to battle for the win and Lisa came out on top. Unfortunately for Lisa, viewers are more concerned with Angela’s disqualification.

According to PEOPLE, the speculation is that Angelea might have given away some finale spoilers and her possible win on her personal Facebook page before the show aired, which would equal violating the rules of the competition.

Yes, the rumor now is that Angelea was actually the original winner and that following her disqualification, the show had to re-tape the ending. In fact, the CW network admits they only learned of the information about Angelea AFTER the show wrapped, and that they did have to re-shoot scenes.

The network said in a statement: “After production wrapped on the current cycle of America’s Next Top Model, we learned information that made Angelea ineligible and she was subsequently disqualified from the competition. As a result, new scenes were filmed to address this for the audience during the finale.”

Wowzers. As for Angelea, she seems to be taking her disqualification rather well as she tweeted the following last night: “OMG!!!! IM TRENDING WORLDWIDE on twitter right now!!!!!!!!!! Wowwwww!! That’s the whole world!! Lol! #humbled!! Thanks y’all!!! #LOVE.”

Meanwhile, runner up Allison had the following to say when asked about Angelea’s disqualification. “I think what happened with Angelea is more of a personal thing that went on with her. Out of respect and undying love for her, I think I will remain silent,” said Allison to Zap2It. And the mystery continues…

TELL US – THOUGHTS ON THE ANTM FINALE AND DISQUALIFICATION SCANDAL? DID LISA DESERVE TO WIN?

There’s a big change coming up on next season’s America’s Next Top Model as judge André Leon Talley is leaving the show following four cycles.

PEOPLE magazine is confirming that André, Vogue contributing editor, will be replaced by New York Fashion publicist Kelly Cutrone.

“I am a huge fan of America’s Next Top Model and have watched the show for years,” said Kelly, 45, owner of People’s Revolution. “Having worked in various aspects of the fashion industry over the course of my career, I am excited for this new opportunity and hope to bring a different perspective to the show.”

André, 61, who joined the show in early 2010 after many years of pleading from Tyra Banks, reveals there are no hard feelings about the change. “I had a great ride and will always consider my experience with Top Model one of the best moments of my life,” he states. “Tyra is an incredible role model and I learned so much sitting next to her through four cycles.”

Kelly will replace André starting early next year with cycle 18. She is well known for starring on MTV’s “The Hills” and Bravo’s “Kell on Earth“.

TELL US – THOUGHTS ON ANTM’S JUDGING CHANGE? WILL KELLY MAKE A GOOD JUDGE?

Nothing screams ratings more than bringing back the craziest, most controversial, and in some cases most talented, cast members from seasons past of any given show. America’s Next Top Model is jumping on that bandwagon with Cycle 17, ANTM All-Stars, premiering next month.

Fourteen of the wildest, loudest, and strongest personalities from cycles past are coming together to compete for the title that has previously eluded them. This season’s prizes include an Express modeling campaign, a fashion spread in Italian Vogue, a stint as a guest correspondent on Extra, and the staple Cover Girl contract.

Expect to see Kristin Cavallari, LaToya Jackson, Tyson Beckford, Nicki Minaj, The Game, Ashlee Simpson, and Kathy Griffin as guest judges…just to name a few. As always, the challenges are sure to be outrageous with stiff competition among the ladies.

ANTM All-Stars premieres on the CW on Wednesday, September 14th at 9pm ET, and as always, Tyra Banks will be front and center teaching these up-and-coming models how to pose and tell a story with their eyes…fierce!

It’s the season finale of America’s Next Top ModelCycle – oh, who knows. BrittaniKline, the trailer park queen from rural Pennsylvania and Molly O’Connell the angry, blonde adopted southern girl are the finalists. The finale takes place in amazing Morocco where the girls are filming their CoverGirl commercials then taking their CG glamour shots, shooting for Italian Vogue, and finally walking in a Vivienne Westwood fashion show. Tyra Banks has outdone herself this cycle!

The girls are meet individually with Ivan Bart, president of IMG models, who will be signing the winner of this cycle. He, predictably, likes both girls and notes their positive attributes, not giving away which one he would personally choose. Afterwards the girls meet Mister Jay Manuel to film their CoverGirl commercials for Liperfection Lipstick shot by Italian photographer Pierpaolo Ferrari.

Unlike previous seasons where the commercials were straight up disasters with no one being able to remember their lines or demonstrate a comprehensive grasp of ANY language, this year’s were pretty seamless. Brittani is rocking a serious femme fatale look, but while filming the commercial her self-confidence starts getting the best of her and she begins to cry – again! I think she has cried more than any other contestant in ANTM history. She needs one of those wristlet tissues cases old ladies carry to sop up all the impromptu waterworks. Once she sorts out her emotions and relaxed she actually did an amazing commercial highly praised by Mister Jay.

Ready or not, they’re she’s baaaack! Tyra Banks that is as the 16th cycle of America’s Next Top Modelpremieres tonight, because you know, all the previous winners of the 15 past seasons have all went on to become “top models.”

The show returns tonight with 14 new hopefuls competing for a contract with IMG Models, a fashion spread in Vogue Italia and an additional spread and cover of Beauty in Vogue; plus a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl Cosmetics.

Tyra leads the panel of judges, which includes fashion editor André Leon Talley and photographer Nigel Barker. Jay Manuel will serve as the photo shoot creative director while Miss J Alexander returns as the runway trainer. The full cast list is below -

Alexandria, 21; Height: 5′ 10″ Hometown: Newport Beach, California

Angelia, 20; Height: 5′ 10″ Hometown: Landstuhl, Germany

Brittani, 19; Height: 5′ 10″ Hometown: Beech Creek, Pennsylvania

Dalya, 21; Height: 5′ 9″ Hometown: Clear Lake, Texas

Dominique, 23; Height: 5′ 9″ Hometown: Houston, Texas

Hannah, 20; Height: 5’10” Hometown: Houston, Texas

Jaclyn, 20; Height: 5′ 10″ Hometown: Belton, Texas

Kasia, 26; Height: 5′ 9″ Hometown: Wheaton, Illinois

Mikaela, 21; Height: 5′ 9″ Hometown: Boca Raton, Florida

Molly, 22; Height: 5′ 10″ Hometown: Charleston, South Carolina

Monique, 19; Height: 5′ 11″ Hometown: Hebron, Illinois

Nicole, 20; Height: 5′ 11″ Hometown: Orlando, Florida

Ondrei, 18; Height: 5′ 7″ Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

Sara, 18; Height: 5′ 10″ Hometown: Rio Grand Valley, Texas

And on to tonight’s premiere as Tyra continues to prove she has no shame in her game by punking the 14 contestants. Yes, Tyra begins the show by telling the 14 finalists they didn’t make the cut and will be going home. The girls weep of course and try to find their luggages, only for Tyra to reveal it was all a joke! Very funny indeed.

Below is also a promo video in which Tyra mocks some of the most common types who appear at “ANTM” castings aka the girl that doesn’t really want to be there, the girl that is not there to make friends etc. It’s actually pretty funny.

America’s Next Top Model airs tonight on the CW network at 8/7c.

TELL US – ARE YOU EXCITED FOR THE NEW SEASON OF ANTM? THOUGHTS ON TONIGHT’S PREMIERE?